Drums, Spirit Animals and Weeds
How attending a book festival can lead to fulfillment and wonder
What just happened? Let’s share!
I have recently returned home from an amazing weekend at Alnwick Story Fest in the magnificent county of Northumberland. The experience was such a life affirming one, I wanted to share it with you. If I connected with you over the weekend, please know it was such a pleasure. If you went to any of the talks/ workshops/ amazing spaces around the festival I mention, please feel free to comment on your experience. If you want to give a shout out to anyone who made it an unforgettable experience for you, please do so.
Off to a great start
As the train pulled into Alnmouth Station, I felt relaxed and grateful that I had opted for this mode of transport rather than the hassle of an unknown route. A short drive with an informative taxi driver to the cottage in the centre of Alnwick was easy too. The Grade 2 listed Georgian cottage didn’t disappoint either. Warm, roomy, with a real fire whose mantlepiece looked gorgeous bedecked with the fairy lights that had also travelled the journey. The house was in a perfect location to get to the events easily. Let’s get started!
The buzz in the moment
The market square in Alnwick was buzzing during the opening ceremony, with local singers, street vendors and an amazing drum troupe Spark! to get the crowd into a frenzied, festival mood. It felt vibrant, contemporary, well-organised and full of hope and expectation. The planet Venus watched over the proceedings, shining brightly in the night sky along with its other 6 aligned companions in the solar system. Indeed, a rare moment in time never to be repeated in this configuration.
Inspiration and Kindred Spirits
As the weekend progressed, I saw familiar smiling faces beaming from the experience of the workshop they had just attended and relishing the next talk they were due to see. I attended:
a talk with insights into writing a children’s book
a workshop on how to find creativity in nature
a conversation with one of my favourite crime authors (L.J.Ross)
a talk about power of nature and the importance of weeds
Just wonderful!
Conversations, Connections,
We drank, we dined, we had interesting conversations about our dreams and hope for our future writing life. I do not believe there is anything like being in a room with kindred spirits. It is potent, it feels magnificent. It make you feel alive. There were times of exhaustion too, thousands of steps walked and climbed to get the maximum experience did take its toll. But, I am not sure I would have changed this, adrenalin kept the wheels turning and the connections, I am sure, will be long lasting .
Online vs Real life
I met many people I had only seen on a zoom screen or on their tiny profile pictures on their Substack profiles. Whilst technology is very convenient and great for not having to leave the home, for me, it cannot beat the real life face to face encounters. There seemed to be an element of being more invested in each other’s stories. There were talks of meet ups for those who lived not very far from one another and plans for next year. I am glad human connection isn’t a dying art and I truly hope we will meet in person once again.
Reflections and Recollections
I was lucky that I didn’t have to go home as soon as the festival had finished. A long, mindful, morning walk along Alnmouth Beach, a paddle in the freezing cold North Sea and a chance to write a short piece of prose listening to the sound of the waves and herring gulls, allowed for much needed, peaceful, grounded moments. A meet up for coffee with the event co-founder and
convener, Suzy Walker was wonderful too. A glorious couple of hours in one of Europe’s largest second-hand bookshops, just before the journey home, was a perfect way to end the experience - surrounded by books.
The gift of receiving
I received so many blessings during the weekend. I am grateful for the company I held (especially
) and the times of reflective solitude I gave myself. Thank you to the inspirational people whose talks and workshops I attended. I hope your writing careers go from strength to strength. To the organisers of thank you for making it a truly magical experience, for the wonderful atmosphere you created and the rich programme of events you curated. I can’t wait to return.
Can identify with so much of this! Especially with meeting up again. Lovely to read of your approach to the festival and the time you gave yourself to be refreshed and inspired allowing you to go onto refresh and inspire your own audience. X
Such an exciting week for you! Next year I want to join you, Daisy :)